Scottish Government

ANNEX 2 SURVEY MATERIALS

Questions included in the Scottish Omnibus Survey

Prompt: We would now like to ask you some questions about vocational training. By vocational training we mean any form of education/classes or training connected with your job, or a job that you might be able to do in the future

1 Are you currently taking part or have you previously taken part in any form of vocational training and, if so, what type of course or courses?

SHOW SCREEN / Code all that apply

ALL CODING 1-8: CONTINUE

ALL CODING 9: SKIP TO Q3

2 How are/were the courses paid for?Code all that apply

ASK ALL

3 Would you consider taking take part in any / more vocational training in the future and if so, what type of course?

SHOW SCREEN / Code all that apply

ALL CODING 9: CONTINUE TO Q4

ALL CODING 1-8: SKIP TO Q5

4 What are your reasons for not considering taking part in vocational training?

DO NOT PROMPT /Code all that apply

ASK ALL

5 Which of these sources of funding for vocational training, if any, have you heard of?

SHOW SCREEN / Code all that apply

ASK ALL

6 If you were to do some vocational training, would you consider taking out a loan to pay for it?

7 Taking your answer from this list, please can you tell me the highest educational qualification you have achieved?

SHOW SCREEN / Code highest only

8 Which of these categories best describes your income before tax?

SHOW SCREEN Respondent types in answer

ALL CODING 1-8 at Q1 or CODING 1-8 at Q3: CONTINUE

ALL OTHERS SKIP TO NEXT SECTION

9 The questions on vocational training are part of a larger study we are carrying out for the Scottish Executive. We will also be organising a series of group discussions on the subject of vocational training. This will be in a venue in your area and expenses will be paid. Would you be interested in being re-contacted for the purpose of taking part in this further research?

Yes/No

Focus Group Topic Guide

CDLs, March 2006

MODERATOR INTRODUCTIONS

Moderator name: X, Research Consultant/Freelance Researcher with TNS System 3 Social, an independent research organisation who have been commissioned to take this research forward

Nature and purpose of session: Today we are going to be talking about people's experience of vocational training, from the more general to some specific areas.

Length of session: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, finish just before 8.

Focus group guidelines:

• Who has attended a focus group before?
  • tape recorded - this is not a test - no judgement of you, it is simply to inform the research
  • we are bound by the MRS code of conduct, and have therefore to follow strict confidentiality guidelines.
• Focus group guidelines
  • respect each other's views, there are no right or wrong answers
  • do not talk over each other (tape and polite)
  • Have fun!

ICE BREAKING EXERCISE 10 minutes

Ice breaker exercise: Pair work - introduce self to partner, tell them a little about yourself, including your background and where you're from, and then swap over.

It's important to listen to each other, as I'd like each of you to introduce your partners (and their background) back to the group. We've got 5 minutes to do this task, so I'll ask you to swap over in a few minutes.

Report back to the group. Facilitator make notes of names.

VIEWS ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING 10 minutes (6.45 start)

1. What do you understand by the term vocational training?

PROMPTS:

• What does 'vocational' mean to you?
• What does it include?
• Where have you heard the term before?

2. Why might someone want to undertake vocational training?

• How easy/difficult might it be to undertake vocational training?

3. What do you think are the main benefits of vocational training?

VIEWS ON PARTICIPATION IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING 5 minutes (6.55 start)

1. How might someone find out about vocational training opportunities?

PROMPTS

• What agencies would assist them?
• Which agencies are more or less informative?
• Where would they find information on courses?
• Ideally, what other avenues should be made available to you?

POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING 15 minutes (7.00 start)

1. What might prevent an individual from undertaking vocational training?

PROMPTS

• Childcare, health, apathy, time, financial

2. How do the financial barriers compare to the others suggested?

3. How do people 'weigh up' the costs and benefits of taking out a loan to fund training?

• What might be their motivations?

4. What organisation(s) might help an individual overcome these barriers?

PROMPT

• Employer, government, training agencies, banks

SOURCES OF FUNDING 10 minutes (7.15 start)

1. What funding is available to someone who would like to undertake vocational training?

PROMPT

• Employer, family, savings, bank loan

2. What do you think might be the positives and negatives of using these kinds of funding?

LOANS 10 minutes (7.25 start)

1. Would you consider using a loan to fund vocational training?

2. What loans do you think might be available to fund vocational training?

3. What are the positives and negatives for using a loan to fund vocational training?

CDL LOANS 20 minutes (7.35 start)

1. Have any of you heard of Career Development Loans ( CDL)?

PRIVATE CAPTURE EXERCISE: Give each respondent private capture sheet which gives a description of CDL. Ask them to take a few minutes to read it through, and jot down initial thoughts - any spontaneous reactions. Stress this is not a test.

Written on Private capture sheet DO NOT READ OUT:

CDLs have been available since 1988 for those over 18 who wish to take part in vocational training courses but who are ineligible for other funding schemes. These loans are currently made by high street banks, with the interest paid by Department for Education and Skills during the course and for a short period afterwards. In a CDL the bank pays the money to the training provider rather than the individual.

2. Explore respondents' reactions to private capture exercise

• What did we like about the CDL idea? What did we dislike?

3. How do you think a CDL Loan might differ from a normal bank loan?

4. What kind of vocational courses might someone use a CDL for?

PROMPTS:

• Examples of courses: Computer courses, driving instructors, beauty therapy

5. Is a CDL a source of funding you might consider using?

If yes, why? / If not, why not?

6. What might be the advantage of using a CDL? What might be the disadvantage?

THANKS AND CLOSE

• Incentives and signatures

Focus Groups - Private Capture Exercise

CDLs have been available since 1988 for those over 18 years of age who wish to take part in vocational training courses but who are ineligible for other funding schemes. These loans are currently made by high street banks, with the interest paid by Department for Education and Skills during the course and for a short period afterwards. In a CDL the bank pays the money to the training provider rather than the individual.

Initial reaction:

Questionnaire for training providers' telephone survey

INTRO

Good morning/afternoon. My name is …., I am calling on behalf of TNS System Three Social Research in Edinburgh. We have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department to find out about how people pay for vocational training in Scotland, and the use of and potential demand for CDLs for this type of training. By 'vocational training' we mean any courses which provide the skills needed for an occupation, trade or profession. This covers a wide range of courses from hypnotherapy, furniture making, IT courses to post-graduate qualifications. These may be paid for by an employer or people may choose to do them in their own time and pay for them themselves.

IF NOT ON ACTIVE PROVIDER LIST:
May I check...Does your organisation run any courses of this type?
Yes
No
Don't know\

IF (no); terminate

INTRO2

May I speak to the most senior person in your organisation who has responsibility for student fees and payment for courses.

(WHEN PUT THROUGH, REPEAT INTRO)

INTRO3

I would like to ask you some questions about how people pay for the courses that you offer. Do you feel that you can answer this type of question or is there someone else in your organisation that I should talk to?

(IF THEY ARE NOT THE RIGHT PERSON TO TALK TO THEN ASK TO BE PUT THROUGH TO THE CORRECT PERSON OR GET THE CONTACT DETAILS OF THE CORRECT PERSON AND PHONE AGAIN)

(IF THEY ARE THE RIGHT PERSON)

INTRO4

The interview should take about 10 to 15 minutes. All the answers you give will be treated in confidence. Your identity will be kept confidential and comments will be anonymised and so not attributed to any individual or named company/institution.

(IF THEY DON'T HAVE TIME THEN ARRANGE TO CALL BACK)

(IF THEY REFUSE TO TAKE PART THEN RECORD REASON FOR REFUSAL)

Firstly, I'd like to ask some general questions about your organisation.

Q1 Is your organisation …. READ OUT

Private sector training provider
University, other Higher Education
Further Education College
Private training college
Other (TYPE IN)

Q1a How many employees do you have?

1-2 employees
3-4 employees
5-9 employees
10-19 employees
20+ employees

Q2 Roughly, what percentage of the courses that your organisation provides are for vocational training.

TYPE IN NUMBER OR CODE DON'T KNOW

Q3 How many students do you provide courses to at any one time, this includes all types of course, not only vocational? READ OUT

Less than 10
11-50
51-100
101-500
501-1000
1001-5000
5001+
(DO NOT READ - don't know)

Q4 And what percentage of them undertake vocational courses?

TYPE IN NUMBER OR CODE DON'T KNOW

Q5 What type of vocational courses do you run?

DO NOT READ OUT. MULTI-CODING ALLOWED

IT Courses (e.g. Web Design, Computer programming, systems analysis)
Driving instruction
Engineering
Beauty therapy, hairdressing etc.
Fitness instructor etc.
Pilot training
Law related (e.g. Diploma in legal practice)
Counselling, life coaching etc.
Health related (e.g. health care, acupuncture)
Social work (e.g. social work diploma)
Education (e.g. childcare diploma, teaching)
Business (e.g. business studies, management)
Art, music etc (e.g. design)
Tourism/hospitality (e.g. tour guide, hotel receptionist)
Other (TYPE IN)

Q6 Do the vocational courses you run lead to formal qualifications?

Yes, for all courses
Yes, for some courses

No

IF NO SKIP TO Q8

IF YES

Q7 What qualifications do they lead to?

READ OUT. MULTI-CODING ALLOWED

Post graduate degree ( MSc, MA, PhD)
Post-graduate diploma
First degree (e.g. BA, BSc)
HNC, HND
SVQ qualification
Other (TYPE IN)

Thank you, I would now like to ask a few questions about the people who undertake vocational training with your organisation

Q8 Are the people who undertake vocational training with your organisation …

READ OUT MULTI-CODING ALLOWED

Working
Unemployed
Continuing education from school/college
Other (TYPE IN)

Q9 Are the people who undertake vocational training with your organisation …

READ OUT

Studying full time
Studying part-time
Can be either full-time or part-time

Q10 Do the people who undertake vocational training with your organisation study by Distance Learning?

Yes, some
Yes, all
No

Q11 Are people who undertake training on your vocational courses required to already have formal qualifications?

Yes, for all courses
Yes, for some courses
No
Don't Know
IF NO SKIP TO Q13

IF YES

Q12 What type of qualifications?

READ OUT MULTI CODING ALLOWED

Post-graduate diploma
Professional qualifications e.g. teaching, accountancy
First degree (e.g. BA, BSc)
HNC, HND
SVQ qualification
School level qualification (e.g. Highers, A levels)
Other (TYPE IN)

Q13 How do learners on your vocational training courses usually fund their courses, please mention all sources that you are aware of

DO NOT READ OUT. MULTI CODING ALLOWED

Self through CDL
Self through other type of loan from commercial institution (e.g. bank)
Self through own earnings or savings
Employer or potential employer
Government or local authority organisation
Money from a friend or relative
Further Education college bursary
New Deal
Student Loan
Training for work programme
Skillseekers/modern apprenticeship
Individual Learning Accounts
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme ( PSAS)
Part-time fee waiver
Higher Education bursary for young people
Don't know
Other (TYPE IN)

Q14 And which of these other types of funding do you accept for payment for vocational training

READ OUT. MULTI CODING ALLOWED [THIS LIST SHOULD LEAVE OUT ANY THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED AT Q13]

CDL
Other type of loan from commercial institution (e.g.bank)
Further Education college bursary
New Deal
Student Loan
Training for work programme
Skillseekers/modern apprenticeship
Individual Learning Accounts
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme ( PSAS)
Part-time fee waiver
Higher Education bursary for young people
Don't know
Other (TYPE IN)

Q15 Which of these other types of funding for vocational training have you heard of?

READ OUT MULTI CODING ALLOWED [THIS LIST SHOULD LEAVE OUT ANY THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED AT Q13 and Q14]

CDL
Other type of loan from commercial institution (e.g. bank)
Further Education college bursary
New Deal
Student Loan
Training for work programme
Skillseekers/modern apprenticeship
Individual Learning Accounts
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme ( PSAS)
Part-time fee waiver
HE bursary for young people
Has not heard of any of these
Other (TYPE IN)

Q16 Do you provide applicants for your courses with information on sources of funding that they could apply for for their vocational training?

Yes
No

IF NO SKIP TO Q20

IF YES

Q17 On which sources of funding do you provide information?

DO NOT READ OUT MULTI CODING ALLOWED

CDL
Other type of loan from commercial institution (e.g. banks)
FE college bursary
New Deal
Student Loan
Training for work programme
Skillseekers/modern apprenticeship
Individual Learning Accounts
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme ( PSAS)
Part-time fee waiver
HE bursary for young people
Other (TYPE IN)

Q18 How do you provide information about funding

DO NOT READ OUT MULTI CODING ALLOWED

Through website
Leaflets with course information packs
Face to face discussion
Telephone advice
Refer to agency (e.g, LearnDirect)
Other (TYPE IN)

Q19 As well as providing information, do you actively advise students on which source of funding would suit them?

Yes
No

Thank you, I am now going to ask you some questions about CDLs

Q20 Can I just check, have you heard of CDLs?

Yes
No

If no go to text before Q44

IF YES

Q21 Are you registered as a training provider with the Department for Education and Skills for CDLs?

Yes
No
Don't know

IF YES THEN ASK QUESTIONS 24 TO 43

IF NO

Q22 Have you ever considered registering with the Department for Education and Skills for CDLs?
Yes
No
DK

IF NO

Q23 Why have you not considered registering?

OPEN ENDED QUESTION

IF YES/DON'T KNOW AT Q21

Q24 Have any of your students used CDLs to pay for their course?

Yes
No
Don't know

If no or don't know skip to Q31

IF YES

Q25 In the past three years, how many students would you say have used CDLs to pay for their courses?

TYPE IN NUMBER. CODE DON'T KNOW

Q26 Have any students who funded courses through CDLs failed to complete the course?

Yes
No
Don't know

• If no skip to Q28

IF YES

Q27 Why did they fail to complete them?

OPEN ENDED

Q28 To your knowledge, have any applicants for your vocational courses been refused a CDL?

Yes
No
Don't know

IF YES

Q29 What did the potential student do when the CDL was refused?

READ OUT

Did not take up course
Took up course with funding from other source
Other (TYPE IN)

IF 'TOOK UP COURSE WITH FUNDING FROM OTHER SOURCE'

Q30 What was the other source?

DO NOT READ OUT. MULTICODING ALLOWED

Other type of loan from commercial institution (bank etc.)
FE college bursary
New Deal
Student Loan
Training for work programme
Skillseekers/modern apprenticeship
Individual Learning Accounts
Postgraduate Student Allowance Scheme ( PSAS)
Part-time fee waiver
HE bursary for young people
Don't know
Other (TYPE IN)

Q31 How likely do you think it is that people taking your vocational courses will fund courses through CDLs in the future .. READ OUT

Very likely
Quite likely
Neither likely nor unlikely
Quite unlikley
Very unlikely
Don't know

IF NEITHER LIKELY NOR UNLIKELY/QUITE UNLIKELY/VERY UNLIKELY SKIP TO Q34

If very /quite likely

Q32 How do you think this will compare with the number of people who currently use CDLs .. READ OUT

Increase
Decrease
Similar number

Q33 How many students do you estimate will use CDLs to pay for your vocational courses in the next 3 years?

None
1- 10
11-50
51-100
101-500
501-1000
1001-5000
5001+

Q34 How do CDLs compare with other sources of funding for vocational training used by students… READ OUT

Much more attractive
A bit more attractive
About the same
A bit less attractive
Much less attractive
Don't know

Q35 What changes, if any, do you think would make CDLs more attractive to potential students

DO NOT READ OUT. MULTICODING ALLOWED

Available from wider range of sources
More promotion by DfES
More promotion by banks
Make more people eligible
Make process of registration easier for training providers
Make process of application easier for students
Other (TYPE IN)

Q36 And, in your experience, how easy or difficult do students find it to access a CDLs … READ OUT

Very easy
Fairly easy
Neither easy nor difficult
Fairly difficult
Very difficult
Don't know

(IF Q21=YES) Q37 How easy or difficult was the process of CDL registration for your organisation .. READ OUT

Very easy
Fairly easy
Neither easy nor difficult
Fairly difficult
Very difficult
Don't know

(IF Q21=YES) Q38 How easy or difficult does your organisation find it to comply with the requirements of being registered for CDLs .. READ OUT

Very easy
Fairly easy
Neither easy nor difficult
Fairly difficult
Very difficult
Don't know

Q39 Do you think that any changes are required in the future to make CDLs more useful for training organisations?

Yes
No
Don't know

IF YES

Q40 What changes do you think would make CDLs more useful for training organisations

DO NOT READ OUT: MULTICODING ALLOWED

Available from wider range of sources
More promotion by DfES
More promotion by banks
Make more people eligible
Make process of registration easier for training providers
Make process of application easier for students
Other (TYPE IN)

Q41 Do you inform students about CDLs as sources of funding.. READ OUT

Always
Sometimes
Never

Q42 Will you actively promote CDLs in future?

Yes
No
Don't know

IF NO/DON'T KNOW

Q43 What changes might be made to CDLs that would encourage you to promote them in the future?

DO NOT READ OUT. MULTICODING ALLOWED

Available from wider range of sources
More promotion by DfES
More promotion by banks
Make more people eligible
Make process of registration easier for training providers
Make process of application easier for students
Other (TYPE IN)

INTERVIEW ENDS HERE FOR ORGANISATIONS WHO KNOW ABOUT CDLs

If the training provider has not heard of CDLs - answered no at Q20

READ OUT

• A CDL is a deferred repayment bank loan designed to help individuals to pay for vocational (vocational means it gives the learner the skills needed for an occupation, trade or profession) education or learning.
• The CDL programme is run through a partnership arrangement between the Department for Education and Skills ( DfES) and three high street banks: The Royal Bank of Scotland, The Co-operative Bank and Barclays.
• The banks have the responsibility for checking that applicants satisfy the eligibility conditions and that they will be able to repay the loan. All lending decisions are the responsibility of the bank concerned and they have the right to refuse any loan application.

Q44 Based on what I have just told you, how do you think CDLs might compare with other sources of funding for vocational training used by students .. READ OUT

Much more attractive
A bit more attractive
About the same
A bit less attractive
Much less attractive

READ OUT

• For individuals to learn with your organisation using a CDL, you must have registered as a learning provider with the DfES. To register, you must complete a Learning Provider Registration Form and sign up to a set of principles laid down by the DfES. You must also send any brochures about the courses you offer to the DfES.
• Once you have registered, the DfES will allocate you a registration number. The allocation of this number does not in any way indicate approval or accreditation of a provider or any course offered by that provider. It is purely for administration purposes and neither the registration number nor any suggestion of Departmental approval should be referred to in any publicity material. Periodically, the DfES may ask you to re-register. As CDLs are backed by public money there is a requirement for checks to be made by the DfES to ensure that money is being paid correctly and that the trainee is on the course. Learning providers must keep records of trainees.

Q45 Based on what I have told you, how likely or unlikely are you to register as provider in future … READ OUT

Very likely
Quite likely
Neither likely nor unlikely
Quite unlikely
Very unlikely

Q46 How likely do you think potential students would be to apply for a CDL .. READ OUT

Very likely
Quite likely
Neither likely nor unlikely
Quite unlikely
Very unlikely

Q47 Would you actively promote CDLs to potential students?

Yes
No
Don't know

Q48 What changes could be made to CDLs to make you register in the future?

DO NOT READ OUT:MULTICODING ALLOWED

Available from wider range of sources
More promotion by DfES
More promotion by banks
Make more people eligible
Make process of registration easier for training providers
Make process of application easier for students
Other (TYPE IN)

INTERVIEW ENDS HERE FOR ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE NOT HEARD OF CDLs

CLOSING STATEMENT:

Topic Guide for In-depth Telephone Interviews

Introduction

ß Name, Researcher with TNS System Three Social, an independent research organisation

ß Work commissioned by the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department

ß About the project:

o To explore the attitude toward and experience of CDLs amongst the top five providers

• Duration of interview - around 20 minutes
• Confidentiality and tape recording - will not name individual or organisation (may be identifiable) - confirm respondent ok with this
• Explain purpose of research -

o We would like to speak to your organization as it is one of the top five providers for people in Scotland who have used CDLs.

Background to study

ß CDLs are currently administered by the Department for Education and Skills for the whole of the UK.

ß From the academic year 2007-2008, it is envisaged that the Learning and Skills Council will have responsibility for administering CDLs in England, solely for learners living in England.

ß The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales now need to consider the development of a CDL scheme for their own countries learners.

Main body questions

Now I would like to take you through the themes identified in your introductory letter, and explore your responses to the questions in some detail.

A. Strengths and weakness of the operation of the scheme

• Do you have any comments in relation to the operation of the current scheme? Strengths and weaknesses?
• How important are CDLs to your organisation? What other types of funding to people use?
• Any comments in relation to the current registration/reporting process?

B. Views on the development and future direction of a Scottish scheme

• Do you have any views on the development of a separate scheme for people living in Scotland?
• If a Scottish scheme were developed, what would need to be considered?
• What bodies/organisations would be affected?
• What do you perceive to be the risks involved in such a scheme?
• Do you think there is a potential demand for a separate scheme amongst learners living in Scotland?
• Do you think your organisation would register for a separate Scottish scheme?

C. What might encourage uptake of the scheme

• What might encourage uptake of the scheme for other organisations?
• What might encourage uptake of the scheme for students?
• What would make it more attractive to organisations/ individuals?

D. How might the scheme be promoted

• How should the scheme be promoted - what methods?
• What organisations should be involved in its promotion?

Thanks and close.